I . INTRODUCTION
The dental profession holds a special position of trust within society . As a consequence , society affords the profession certain privileges that are not available to members of the public-at-large . In return , the profession makes a commitment to society that its members will adhere to high ethical standards of conduct . These standards are embodied in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct ( ADA Code ). The ADA Code is , in effect , a written expression of the obligations arising from the implied contract between the dental profession and society .
Members of the ADA voluntarily agree to abide by the ADA Code as a condition of membership in the Association . They recognize that continued public trust in the dental profession is based on the commitment of individual dentists to high ethical standards of conduct .
T h e ADA Code has three main components : the Principles of Ethics , the Code of Professional Conduct and the Advisory Opinions .
T h e Principles of Ethics are the aspirational goals of the profession . They provide guidance and offer justification for the Code of Professional Conduct and the Advisory Opinions . There are five fundamental principles that form the foundation of the ADA Code : patient autonomy , nonmaleficence , beneficence , justice and veracity . Principles can overlap each other as well as compete with each other for priority . More than one principle can justify a given element of the Code of Professional Conduct . Principles may at times need to be balanced against each other , but , otherwise , they are the profession ’ s firm guideposts .
T h e Code of Professional Conduct is an expression of specific types of conduct that are either required or prohibited . The Code of Professional Conduct is a product of the ADA ’ s legislative system . All elements of the Code of Professional Conduct result from resolutions that are adopted by the ADA ’ s House of Delegates . The Code of Professional Conduct is binding on members of the ADA , and violations may result in disciplinary action .
T h e Advisory Opinions are interpretations that apply the Code of Professional Conduct to specific fact situations . They are adopted by the ADA ’ s Council on Ethics , Bylaws and Judicial Affairs to provide guidance to the membership on how the Council might interpret the Code of Professional Conduct in a disciplinary proceeding .
T h e ADA Code is an evolving document and by its very nature cannot be a complete articulation of all ethical obligations . The ADA Code is the result of an ongoing dialogue between the dental profession and society , and as such , is subject to continuous review .
Although ethics and the law are closely related , they are not the same . Ethical obligations may — and often do — exceed legal duties . In resolving any ethical problem not explicitly covered by the ADA Code , dentists should consider the ethical principles , the patient ’ s needs and interests , and any applicable laws .
II . PREAMBLE
The American Dental Association calls upon dentists to follow high ethical standards which have the benefit of the patient as their primary goal . In recognition of this goal , the education and training of a dentist has resulted in society affording to the
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